How parents can handle the bullying of children.

Bullying in schools is an ordeal which can be hard for many children and parents.

According to the Department of Basic Education, bullying in school sometimes consists of a group of learners taking advantage of, or isolating one learner, and gaining the loyalty of bystanders who want to avoid becoming the next victim.

Social worker Jaimie Penny, of Edenvale Child and Family Welfare Society, shared her advice on how parents can handle the bullying of children.

“Children who have been bullied can be tense, lash out and tend to bully other children in order to not be the only victim.”

Penny said a sign of bullying manifests in a child who experiences anxiety, and usually complains about stomach aches.

Children do not know what anxiety is, and cannot verbalise it so they can only explain anxiety as stomach aches.

Hesitance to talk about school was also identified by the social worker as a sign.

“Playing is a child’s natural language.

“Parents should observe how their children play, and be more in tune and spend more time to detect any unusual behaviour,” said Penny.

Opening the lines of communication was a suggestion from Penny, which could be difficult for some parents.

The Edenvale social worker shared phrases for opening the tough conversation for parents.

The following phrases are what parents can say to initiate open communication:

“I love you no matter what.”

“You can tell me if something is wrong.”

“You can talk to me about anything.”

”I can get you someone else you can be comfortable talking to.”

What is going on in places where children spend the most time is also important.

The social worker said parents can speak to guardians or teachers and to people who are close to the child.

“Parents can ask teachers how their children behave at school to find out if anything has changed.”

For more information and more signs and what to do to identify bullying, go to the Department of Basic Education’s website www.education.gov.za.